Last week, I reviewed Margaret Maron's latest book, Sand Sharks. Hachette Book Group has kindly given us five copies of the book to give away to our readers with addresses in the US or Canada, so it's time for a raffle!
Here are the rules. The murder in Sand Sharks takes place at a conference, so in the comments area of this post, tell us about a conference or convention you went to or one you'd like to go to. Can't think of either? Tell us why you don't have any desire to go to one! Tell us an awful story, tell us a great story, tell us anything! You have until Thursday night at midnight to enter. I will do the drawing Friday morning and post the results on Friday afternoon. So don't delay! Enter today!
(If you don't attach some way for me to contact you to your comment--either a blog address, an email address, some such--please do come back and check on Friday to see if you're a winner!)
Monday, August 10, 2009
Sand Sharks: The Raffle
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59 comments:
I've been to a couple of conferences but nothing too big. This spring I'm going to Malice, though--and looking forward to it! :)
Elizabeth
Mystery Writing is Murder
I went to a conference except it wasn't for writing. It was for a health seminar. They were discussing Managed Health Care and Insurance. One of the people there actually had finished another conference regarding health care. It was a nice day and I learned a lot and it helped. I am hoping to save money to go to a writers conference in NY. It is happening I believe this winter.
I forgot to add my web address in case you were interested. I write under a psuedonym. the web address is::
www.murderonmymind.spaces
Conferences! Most embarassing moment was when I had to excuse myself from a Midwest Fiction Writers conference in Minneapolis (of course I was sitting in the front row), quickly ran to the ladies room, returned, walked all the way back through the crowd to my chair, and had the lady next to me tell me my skirt hem was tucked in my waistband. Geez Louise!
I have attended weaving conferences and puzzle & game collectors conferences in the past and would like to add a mystery conference in the future. They are a great way to make new friends.
I used to attend science fiction conventions a lot. I just loved being surrounded by all the things I loved and being around people who loved the same things I did. For many reasons it's been many years since I was last at a sci-fi con and sometimes I think I'd like to go again. I know I'd like to go to one of the mystery conventions eventually but feel I should be further along with my writing before I go.
- dori
http://ginksthoughts.blogspot.com/
The most memorable writing conference I ever attended was Book Passage a few years ago. Though I'd been writing for a few years I didn't truly take my work very seriously. By the time I left that conference, I'd turned into a Writer.
Funny what three days can do!
I consider myself amazingly lucky. The first big conference I attended was Bouchercon. I was lucky because some of my fellow local Sisters in Crime mentored me. Barbara Burnett Smith and I roomed together. Barbara was a ball of energy and a mentor to many writers, myself included. Jan Grape was also there and took me under her wing. She told me where I should go, introduced me to people, and even let me tag along to a publisher's party. I've been to a lot of conferences over the years, even ran one during the years I was ED of the Writers' League of Texas, but that first one sticks out in my mind because of Barbara and Jan and some other wonderful writers I met.
Helen
Straight From Hel
I've been to two Bouchercons (Madison and Baltimore) and really had a good time. As both an avid reader and a not-yet-published mystery writer, I was thrilled to meet so many authors whose work I enjoy. Everybody was so approachable.
My most memorable con was last year's Bouchercon in Baltimore. It was amazing. AND, I had such a great time I'm going to attend this year's which will be held in Indianapolis.
Kaye
http://meanderingsandmuses.blogspot.com/
Elizabeth -
Every year I tell myself I am going to Malice, but I haven't made it. Maybe the next one...I tend to work a lot of weekends, which makes it hard! You're entered!
Teri -
Writing conferences are great, especially if you can get an extra day or so to explore a cool city. The first one I ever went to was in New Orleans, and I went mostly because I wanted to go to NO! Thanks for your entry! (For those who want to check out Teri's website, I believe the last part got knocked off and it's www.murderonmymind.spaces.live.com)
Beth -
OMG, I might have had to leave the conference in embarrassment. I am so not good at stuff like that. You are entered!
Helen -
Puzzle and game collectors...neat! Thanks for your entry!
Gink -
Those were my first conventions. I started going to sci-fi and comic cons when I was about 13. My older brother would go and I would tag along. I have very fond memories of them. Thanks for your entry!
Janet -
Absolutely! I still find them incredibly revitalizing even after attending several. You've been entered in the drawing!
Helen -
That does sound like a wonderful experience. How lucky. Thanks for the entry!
Julie -
Mystery writers are a great group. One of these days, I'll make it to Bouchercon. Thanks for your entry and good luck!
Kaye-
Hmmm, another Bouchercon attendee...I am seeing a pattern here. You're entered in the drawing!
I never sit up front in case I want to leave suddenly. The earlier story just confirms why that's a good idea. As to conferences, I used to go to them but haven't lately. I know they're a great way to network though. It's also good to meet with other writers. It's such a lonely profession!
Jacqueline Seewald
THE DROWNING POOL, Five Star/Gale 2009
THE INFERNO COLLECTION, Five Star hardcover, Wheeler large print 2008
Judi Maxwell at maxwelljudi5@gmail.com.
Under duress, I attended a Star Trek Convention once and vowed never to bother again. I expected amazing costumes of which there were next to none. Huge crowd in too small an area with very little control. I think the worst was when the guests were onstage, the people who got up and asked questions about exact wording of original episodes etc. were familiar to me as regular library users.
Oh, dear, Judi! Sometimes, the costumes at sci fi cons really can be amazing, but honestly I was never really a Trek fan, so I can't think of anything that would tempt me to one of those. Thanks for your entry!
Last year I attended (or tried to attend!) the World Science Fiction Convention in Denver. It had been a long time since I'd been to a WorldCon and I was really looking forward to seeing old friends and surfing the dealers room and all the things you do at a con. The Denver Convention Center is very large and, alas, all concrete, and I had a torn medial meniscus; I quickly discovered that I could NOT walk from my hotel, across the street, and across the convention center. I couldn't even walk through the Fourth Street Mall to visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, and if you can't even get to chocolate you KNOW you're in trouble. I ended up calling my doctor in Virginia from the convention to set up an appointment with a surgeon. In May I had a total knee replacement, and now I'm looking forward to attending my first Novelists, Inc. conference in St. Louis--and THIS time I'm going to walk EVERYWHERE!
Ashley McConnell
Ouch, Ashley. That's no good at all. I do a lot of trade shows for a living, and I know just how hard those concrete floors can be. But not even being able to get to chocolate...I think I'd have to find a place to sell me some crutches if there was a chocolate factory in the neighborhood! Thanks for your entry!
I've never been to a conference or a convention of any kind. I'm a quiet, shy person who would rather just stay at home and read.
Carol M
mittens0831 AT aol.com
Carol-
I can relate to that, though I find conferences far less intimidating than other types of purely social gatherings. Thanks for the entry!
I met my wife and writing partner at her first science fiction convention at Disclav in Washington, DC. It was pretty easy to pick her out from the herd at the party in the con suite the first night. In a sea of jeans, she was the one in the canary yellow dress. It made target acquistion rather easy (she explained to me sometime later that at all the conventions she had previously attended, a dress was normal). That was thirty-three years and a couple of kids ago. We attended our latest SF con the week before last.
What a wonderful story, Walt! Thanks for entering!
I have never been to a conference, but I find the idea kind of overwhelming, I dont think I would really feel comfortable in such a huge setting unless it was perhaps something I was willing to sacrifice my comfort for, like a humanitarian conference of some sort,good question though
My first convention was when I was about seven years old. I loved magic and my mom said she would take me to a magic convention if I got a better mark on my next test in Geography. (My last test, I got 45) So I really worked hard and ended up with a 62. So off we went. For a kid who loved magic all his life to be at a convention was amazing. I saw an elephant vanish, ordinary handkerchiefs dance, a women being sawed into four pieces and restored. I thought I knew everything about magic, but that day I knew I didn't. As an aside, the next test we had in geography, I got 85. That was a different kind of magic.
I worked/attended several writer's conferences at Marymount College. It was great to participate in the seminars, especially those having to do with mysteries. Also a good chance to meet agents.
Cathi Stoler
iesa@aol.com
No need to enter me (but I'd love to whine about how I'd love to be at Bouchercon this autumn). I'm dropping in to say thanks for the e-mail, ladies! I've posted the link to this at Win a Book.
Keep us posted on your other doings.
I'm omitting my own entry purely to spread the wealth around, but I don't guarantee my nobility's endless. However, this comment thread is darned entertaining, and I want to thank people for the great stories. Almost as good as Margaret Maron's?
wheresmyrain-
if I hadn't started as a kid, I don't know that I ever would have had the nerve to go to a conference as an adult. When you're a kid, you're not afraid of anything. Consider yourself entered!
Sean -
when I was teaching English to high school students, one of my students asked me to prom. I told him I didn't go to prom with C students, but if he made a B, I'd go with him. He made a B. His mother *cried,* she was so happy. I went to prom. The right motivation is a wonderful thing. Did you stick with the magic??
Cathi -
yep, I met my agent at a conference! Great opportunities. Thanks for entering!
Thanks for the link, Helen! (for those of you who don't know, Helen has a great site that tells you all the places you can win a book--http://winabook.westofmars.com/ )
I've been attending mystery conventions for about 12 years now, with several breaks. My first was Magna Cum Murder in 1997, and just like on DorothyL, I felt completely at home, and among what I like to call "my people". I have met so many nice people, other fans, other librarians, booksellers, authors; mystery people are the best! My contact info is superbkwmn1992@yahoo.com.
Thanks! Patti
It's been a looooong time since I went to a conference. It was a "whole foods" conference in Anaheim. It was fun, but stuffier than you would think for a granola and blue jeans crowd. The products were "revolutionary" at the time, but is was the same old boring business paradigm. It would probably be different today.
I'd love to read this book -- thanks for the chance to win a copy!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
The first conference I went to was Magna cum Murder in Muncie, Ind. about 12 years ago. It was a lot of fun. I remember the sound of the many trains running by Muncie.
I have attended conferences related to my university job, and a convention or two on growing things but the one that I would really enjoy attending is Bouchercon. Unfortunately a disability makes it difficult for me to travel alone, so fingers crossed that it may eventually come to my home town. I can dream.
I've always wanted to attend a mystery conference. I almost made it to Madison ( one of our daughters lives there), but another daughter was being married that weekend, so ..
Joyce
joyceadelaney@gmail.com
Patti O and annthelibrarian - did the two of you meet at Magna Cum Murder, by any chance? LOL! Consider yourselves entered.
boots - oh, that's tough. But I think I'd like to go to a conference on growing things. You've been entered!
Gwendolyn - yes, I bet things have changed, indeed! Thanks for entering.
Joyce -
What on earth was your daughter thinking? LOL! Thanks for your entry!
I won't say that I have no desire to attend a mystery conference in person, but my current lifestyle isn't compatible with much travel since I raise foster kittens for the local humane society and there are usually 4-8 foster kittens or mamas with kittens in addition to my own animals in residence. That certainly doesn't interfere with reading though and I attend conferences "virtually" through reading DorothyL and many of the mystery blogs.
Penny Tuttle
pennyt@hotmail.com
The last conference I attended was the Harriette Austin writers conference in Athens, GA. It was informative and extremely well run. Highly recommended.
As a speech therapist, the big conferences are the ASHA conference in the US and the CASLPA conference in Canada. I've never been to either in a great many years but would love to go to ASHA this year because it's in New Orleans and I've never been there!
melacan at hotmail dot com
I began my convention life at ORYCON, attending then working a lot of committees over the years. My first mystery con was Bouchercon in Las Vegas. They are different. The bag full of books was a shocking surprise that I rather liked, so have a lot on my list. Done Malice and Left Coast Crime, want to do Crimebake, Love Is Murder, well all of them eventually. However, next year I will be attending my first Jane Austen Con. Now that promises to be different.
Patg
I've been to three Sleuthfest conventions sponsored by the Florida Mystery Writers of America. I've learned a lot and I think both the conventions and my writing have gotten better each year. I would encourage everyone to attend, especially since they are in South Florida at the end of February.
Linda Benson
penny-
kittens! kittens! I love kittens. I am allergic to cats, so I can't live with them, but I tried valiantly for about a year before I had to give mine up.
Maggie -
I will have to look that one up, I haven't heard of it and I have a friend who lives down there I haven't seen in years.
Pam -
That's exactly why I went to my first writers conference...it was in NO!
Linda -
I agree. I even took my husband with me to Sleuthfest the year I went. He spent the days fishing while I attended the conference and at night we ate Cuban food. It was a mini-vacation. And that's where I met my agent, so I have to say...all around, a great conference.
You guys are all entered!
What I love about conferences is that my boss goes to them, and I DON'T. This means that several times a year, he is out of town for 2 or 3 days, and I can actually clear things off my desk in the peace he leaves behind.
You can contact me at laytonwoman3rd@yahoo.com
laytonwoman-
That's hilarious! I have SO had jobs like that.
Thanks for entering!
I've been going to mystery conferences for more than ten years now, including Magna Cum Murder, which several others have mentioned. I love them! Oddly enough (since I live in Illinois), the very first one I attended was St. Hilda's Mystery Weekend in Oxford, a place I had wanted to visit for a long time. Most recently I went to Left Coast Crime in Hawaii, again I place I wanted to visit again. It's a good opportunity to travel.
Gail Hueting
ghueting@sbcglobal.net
I've been to a number of industry conventions. However, my favorite was the Altrusa convention in Palm Desert, CA. Beautiful area, lots of fun and fellowship with other women.
kdean116@aol.com
I have never been to a convention.
RJB
loki304[at]tds[dot]net
Many of my online friends and acquaintances go to TAM (The Amazing Meeting) each year, one day I'd love to join them there.
Thanks for hosting this giveaway.
jake.lsewhere[at]gmail.com
I enjoy conferences. If the subject matter is unthrilling or the speakers un-hypnotic, I can watch them and the audience, see whom I like, vs. who reminds me of people who abused or ignored me in my childhood. What better motive for murder?!! Thus I can plot, no matter what happens or doesn't. Carole Spearin McCauley
The worst conference we went to was in Las Vegas. Neither my husband or myself gamble or smoke so several times a day coming and going to and from meetings we had to walk through the smokey gaming rooms. And to make matters worse, it was in July and over 100 degrees outside every day. The only good thing that happened that week was the Star Trek show I got to attend since I am a star trek freak.
I would love to read the book.
rebecca[dot]cox[at]charter[dot]net
I think the last conference I attended was my sorority's convention when I was just out of college -- and that's eons ago!
dlodden at frontiernet dot net
Count me in!
dancealert (at) aol (dot) com
I want to go to one so I can get out of town with my husband. Somehow we never get away from the kids otherwise. And if it could be in Hawaii, that would be good too.
s.mickelson at gmail dot com
Conferences. Ugh. I did way too many trade shows for employers and clients before I said no more. I remember tottering around on heels despite having to stand up all day in the booth to demo software.
Crime-writing conferences are fun, though...I especially recommend CrimeBake.
I posted this giveaway on my blog here!
geebee.reads AT gmail DOT com
I went to Thrillerfest in NYC this year and found it amazing! There were craft sessions which were fascinating and the opportunity to meet and talk to authors was exciting for me.
gaby317nyc AT gmail DOT com
I think it would be a blast to go to a book convention or conference. I've read a couple of posts on various blogs about what a great time they had at these conferences. I've never met any author in real life...and being surrounded by books! What a blast.
I'm so excited to have found your blog, there aren't many mystery book bloggers around.
Dutchlvr1(at)aol(dot)com
Riterrebs
My first conference was Sleuthfest. After my second day, I was overwhelmed with all the information. Several years later I'm still attending and have met my Sleuth Sisters and other wonderful writers. I'd like to go to Crimebake simply because I associate it with 60's beach movies.
I'd love to attend a Bouchercon, a Left Coast Crime, a Malice ... any of the many mystery readers' cons. It's been a while, but SF conventions can be a real hoot. Donna Andrews' We'll Always Have Parrots gives you a good idea of what can go on at these events.
Work conferences are, well, work.
Thank you for the opportunity to win this book.
joannereynolds@sbcglobal.net
Gail -
It really is a great way to travel. You can combine a guaranteed good time with sightseeing!
kdean-
I'd never heard of Altrusa, but looking at their website, they sound fab. http://www.altrusa.com/ for those interested.
loki -
any desire to try one!?
Jake -
Another one I hadn't heard of. That sounds fascinating! http://www.randi.org/site/index.php/component/content/article/37-static/246-amazng-meeting.html for those interested.
Carole -
So, so true!
ccq-
Ugg, that does sound miserable.
LOL, Darcy, I hear ya!
Thanks, Brenda.
Lois - I can relate, believe me!! Although, I don't wear heels at trade shows. I refuse.
Thanks, Gwendolyn!
gaby-
One of these days, I will make it to thrillerfest. It looks...thrilling.
Coffee-
I do recommend it! And welcome to the blog!
Rebecca-
Sleuthfest is great!
Patricia -
Yep. Sci fi cons are like that little girl with the little curl in the poem...when they're good, they're very very good but when they're bad they're horrid.
Thanks, Joanne.
YOu are all entered, folks!
I recently came accross your blog and have been reading along. I thought I would leave my first comment. I dont know what to
say except that I have enjoyed reading. Nice blog. I will keep visiting this blog very often.
Betty
http://illinoislottery.info
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